Wednesday, November 1, 2006

Life looks rosy to many people. Their work is fulfilling. The house or apartment doesn’t need repair. Their bank account shows a surplus. Family members are enjoying good health. Friends are loyal.Good times, however, can be dangerous. The comforts and pleasures of this world can become so important that we give God little or no place in our thoughts. Prosperity can quickly lead to complacency.God knew this would happen to His people when they entered the Promised Land. So He warned them not to forget the source of their blessings (Deut. 6:12). He instructed them:• Fear the Lord (v.13)

• Serve Him (v.13).

• Do not go after other gods (v.14).

• Do not tempt the Lord (v.16).

• Keep the commandments (v.17).

• Do what is right and good (v.18).Historians tell us that religious fervor usually declines during prosperous times. But if we will learn from Israel’s experience and heed the Lord’s instruction, this need not happen to us.Let’s be careful that we do not forget the Lord—especially when all looks bright! —Herbert Vander Lugt—Herbert Vander Lugt-->Help us, O Lord, to ponder this:We have no good apart from You;For we are prone to take our easeWhen all is bright and skies are blue. —D. De HaanProsperity may be a greater test of character than poverty

Deuteronomy 6:10-19

10 When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, 12 be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.13 Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. 14 Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; 15 for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land. 16 Do not test the LORD your God as you did at Massah. 17 Be sure to keep the commands of the LORD your God and the stipulations and decrees he has given you. 18 Do what is right and good in the LORD's sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers, 19 thrusting out all your enemies before you, as the LORD said.